Mock draft: Take 5

1.Chicago Bulls – Derrick Rose, PG, 19, 6-3, 190 pounds (Memphis freshman): Chicago appeases the locals by taking the player who fits the culture and direction of its organization. He also brings an incredible amount of talent to the table.

Miami

2.Miami Heat – Michael Beasley, PF, 19, 6-9, 235 pounds (Kansas State freshman): Are the Heat really brave enough to pass on taking the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year honors?

Minnesota

3. Minnesota Timberwolves – O.J. Mayo, PG/SG, 20, 6-5, 195 pounds (USC freshman): Mayo adds talent to a backcourt that had high expectations but has done very little thus far. This may not be his first choice, but they call it a draft for a reason.

Seattle

4.Seattle SuperSonics– Brook Lopez, C, 20, 7-0, 260 pounds (Stanford sophomore): If the Sonics decide to go big, Lopez will be the choice. Russell Westbrook also figures to be in play here.

Memphis

5.Memphis Grizzlies – Kevin Love, PF/C, 19, 6-9, 255 pounds (UCLA freshman): This may be a reach, but Memphis likes Love and needs to take a frontcourt player at all costs.

7.Los Angeles Clippers – Jerryd Bayless, PG/SG, 19, 6-3, 199 pounds (Arizona freshman): The Clippers are ecstatic to see possibly the best guard prospect in this draft slip to seven and fill their biggest team need.

Milwaukee

8.Milwaukee Bucks – Joe Alexander, 21, 6-8, 230 pounds (West Virginia junior): The Bucks have a big need at small forward and will want to take a player with great athleticism and upside and a high intensity level.

Charlotte

9.Charlotte Bobcats – Russell Westbrook, PG/SG, 19, 6-3, 187 pounds (UCLA sophomore): Larry Brown finally got the chance to see Westbrook in person. Still, the Bobcats will be fortunate if he falls this far considering Seattle also has interest.

New Jersey

10.New Jersey Nets – Eric Gordon, SG, 19, 6-3, 215 pounds (Indiana freshman): Gordon can play alongside Devin Harris in the backcourt and still be able to focus on what he does best – scoring.

13.Portland Trail Blazers – Alexis Ajinca, C, 20, 7-1, 225 pounds (Hyeres-Toulon, international): Anjica has been making a charge up some draft boards. With Greg Oden expected to debut, the Blazers also have luxury of bringing Anjica along.

Golden State

14.Golden State Warriors – Donte Greene, SF/PF, 20, 6-10, 220 pounds (Syracuse freshman): Golden State isn’t married to any of its forwards for the long term, and Donte Greene would be an excellent fit for Don Nelson’s offense.

18.Washington Wizards – JaVale McGee, C, 20, 7-0, 237 pounds (Nevada sophomore): The Wizards are in position to draft the best player available, and McGee has talent, even if it will take time to develop.

Cleveland

19.Cleveland Cavaliers – Anthony Randolph, SF/PF, 18, 6-11, 220 pounds (LSU freshman): Randolph will need time to develop, but this could end up being a steal if he drops this far.

21.New Jersey Nets (from Dallas) – Marreese Speights, PF/C, 20, 6-10, 245 pounds (Florida sophomore): The Nets need size after taking a SF with their first pick and are yearning for an athlete who can play both frontcourt positions. GM Rod Thorn also is said to favor Koufos if he drops this far.

Orlando

22.Orlando Magic – Courtney Lee, SG/SF, 22, 6-5, 200 pounds (Western Kentucky senior): The Magic have been looking for a quality SG for some time now, and Lee is a high-character, extremely versatile defender who can space the floor for Dwight Howard.

Utah

23.Utah Jazz – Jason Thompson, C, 21, 6-11, 250 pounds (Rider senior): Thompson has been a fast riser on some draft boards and might not even be here for Utah.

26.San Antonio Spurs – Nicolas Batum, SF, 19, 6-8, 214 (Le Mans Sarthe Basket, international): The French forward’s medical reports reportedly came back clear one day before he worked out for the Spurs.

Portland

27.Portland Trail Blazers (from New Orleans) – Mario Chalmers, PG, 22, 6-1, 190 pounds (Kansas junior): The Blazers bought this pick from the Hornets. If they don’t draft an international player to leave overseas, Chalmers could help strengthen their point guard stable.